Young Trinity squad wins school's first Halton lacrosse title

Young Trinity squad wins school's first Halton lacrosse title

A young team made up of mainly Grade 9 and 10 students had jumped out to a 3-0 lead against the Christ the King Jaguars. But a Titan penalty late in the first half had allowed the defending Halton lacrosse champions to score twice and pull within one.

Trinity had never beaten Christ the King and as they began the final half, momentum was clearly not in their favour.

Goalie Jacob Patriquin would limit the Jaguars to just two goals in the second half,

though, and Holy Trinity pulled out a 6-4 victory.

Hours later, the two teams would square off again with the Halton title on the line. Proving their earlier victory was no fluke, the Titans scored the game’s first four goals and this time did not let their rivals back in the game. Led by five second-half goals by Grade 9 student Marley Angus, the Titans won 10-5 to claim their first Halton lacrosse title.

“It was a huge confidence boost for us (to get the early lead),” said Trinity’s Ben Heidecker, one of only three graduating players on the team. “The game is all about momentum and that set us up for victory. It’s incredible to win the school’s first Halton (lacrosse) championship and to do it my last year at Holy Trinity.”

Despite their youth, Trinity coach Robert Nacevicius said his team was not intimidated by the Jaguars.

“They were pretty positive,” he said. “They were pumped and excited to play them. It was huge to have a bit of a lead. They’re a young team so I think that had a calming effect on them.”

Holy Trinity went undefeated at the Halton tournament, winning all four of its games. Trinity opened with an 11-2 win over Assumption and then beat Christ the King to clinch first in its pool. The Titans then doubled Loyola 12-6 to advance to the final.

Trinity also got goals from Grade 10 student Adam Wolfe and Robert Hudson, a Grade 11 student who has already committed to the University of Vermont, in the final.

While the team is young, Heidecker said the Titans depth carried them through the Halton final.

“Our first line can really score but the second and third line really stepped up to play,” he said.

The Titans also got strong performances by defender Adriano Morgani, the only other Grade 12 on the team, and midfielder Patrick Gamble.

With the victory, the Titans advance to the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championship, which will be held in Mississauga and Brampton June 4-6.

“OFSAA is the big thing for these guys,” Nacevicius said. “You could see their smiles after they won, they’re really amped up to go.”

And with so many players returning next year, it may not be their last trip to OFSAA.